VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

Mushmelon · Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 9:57 am Post subject: May I borrow your ears?

About a year-and-a-half ago when I purchased my equipment for my home studio, I ended up buying 2 mics. I had rather limited funds (still do) however, I wanted decent sound. I ended up buying a Rode K2 after researching it to death and playing with it in the store, I had liked the way I sounded on it. Unfortunately I didn't like it when I got home and ran it through my pre. Since they wouldn't take it back at the store and I didn't want to sell it on e-bay for pennies, it pretty much stays in it's case. I then picked up an AKGC2000B (pretty basic but serviceable). This is what I have been using since. Every now and then I take the Rode out, give it another shot but it always ends up back in the case. Now that I have stumbled upon this wonderful board I have the opportunity to run the Rode past YOUR ears to get another opinion.

My pre is a Presonus BlueTube DP...which may be the problem right there.
The samples below have not been processed...with the exception of a software noise gate.

My audio chain is Mic-Preamp-FostexMR8 (flash based digital multitracker). Audio is then edited (and processeed if needed) on my PC using Adobe Audition1.5

Here is the AKGC2000B http://www.mushmelonproductions.com/Sounds/AKGC2000B.wav

Here is the Rode K2 http://www.mushmelonproductions.com/Sounds/RODEK2.wav

Thanks so much!
Tony
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Tony Impieri
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Yoda117 · Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 10:43 am Post subject:

I'll listen when I get the chance on some good studio monitors Smile

That said, I've used the Presonus Bluetube, and I've not been impressed with it at all. I would advise an upgrade when your funds make it convenient.

Otherwise my question for you relates to how you use the K2. How long do you let that thing warm up before use? I've found that a good 45 minutes or better is needed to let that tube warm up.

Just saying is all...
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Mushmelon · Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 10:56 am Post subject:

Thanks Greg...I originally thought that might be the problem.
But even with it on all day it still doesn't sound right (to me at least).
I will be interested to hear what you think after listening.
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Jowillie · Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 11:10 am Post subject:

Tony, before we give you an evlauation, let me ask you--what is your opinion and observation of the two examples?
Tell us what you are hearing or not hearing. Tell us what you would like to hear.
WE
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Mushmelon · Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 12:00 pm Post subject:

To me the Rode sounds thinner than the AKG. It seems to lack presence and doesn't sound as warm...but again that is how I hear it.
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allensco · Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 3:04 pm Post subject:

To MY ears, I like the Rode sound better. It has more presence, a bit of air on the top end that the AKG doesn't have AND it's louder. Also, on the editor, the waveform of the Rode track is fuller than the AKG track.

Nice voice too!

Just my 0.02 worth Smile

Deirdre · Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 3:12 pm Post subject:

I actually like the AKG sound better because, to me, the first mic lacks an upper end that I like to hear.

The AKG setup has a warm enough presence, but is crisp in a way I prefer.

My 2 cents.
Your mileage may vary.
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Edo · Guest

Hi Tony,

I listened to both your audio samples but I have a question, having been able to fool around with the Presonus pre in the recent past... Was the 'tube drive' on your presonus activated or not? The ONLY way to properly tell the exact difference between mics is when you DON'T use any tube-like colouring from the Presonus unit, for that is a 12AX7 tube driven distortion-circuit depending partly on impedance of your mic... and since the AKG and the Rode differ very much in that respect... there really is no fair comparison.

If however, the tube-drive on the channel was turned all the way anti-clockwise, then I definately prefer the Rode sample because it seems to add more authority to your voice.

Mushmelon · Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 4:11 pm Post subject:

Mushmelon · Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 6:14 pm Post subject:

OK...Here are the revised files WITHOUT the Presonus tube effect...My bad!

AKGC2000B (revised) http://www.mushmelonproductions.com/Sounds/AKGC2000Brevised.wav

RODEK2 (revised) http://www.mushmelonproductions.com/Sounds/RodeK2revised.wav
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Tony Impieri
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Edo · Guest

Thx... and apologies for being a gearconscious nuisance Wink

Even now I still prefer the K2-take BTW.

bobsouer · Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 6:57 pm Post subject:

Tony,

Regarding these new files, I like the sound of the Rode the best. It has a nice, forward sound; more open than the AKG.

Just my $0.02.
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steveanthony · Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 7:05 pm Post subject:

Here's another nod for the Rode.

allensco · Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 8:30 pm Post subject:

Yep, I still prefer the Rode.

Yoda117 · Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 8:49 pm Post subject:

another nod for the R0de here. It definitely had more presence IMO

That said, I'm definitely sticking with my opinion of going for a better preamp setup. A quality preamp will do wonders for both of those mics.
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Voiceovers by Gregory Houser
Philadelphia based Voice Actor

Blog - A man, a martini, and a lot of microphones